If Terrell Suggs has his way, the Ravens won't be without the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year for the entire season.

Suggs told ESPN's Rachel Nichols that he only partially tore his Achilles tendon and plans to play by midseason. "That's just going to make it so much sweeter when I run out of that tunnel and prove everyone wrong," Suggs said after hearing reports he was done for the year.

Suggs said he injured himself while practicing the Ravens' conditioning test, which every player needs to pass in order to suit up for training camp. While working out at his old high school in Chandler, Ariz., he felt something turn when he stopped. Suggs told Nichols that he is having surgery next week.

Durability and fighting through injuries have been a strength of Suggs. He's only missed three games in his nine-year NFL career but he acknowledged this injury is different.

"I've never had a real bad injury before. Sometimes you have to go through something like this to make you better," Suggs told ESPN.

If Suggs can return by early November, he will still be able to play four AFC North contests including both games against the Steelers. Suggs has sacked Ben Roethlisberger 15.5 times (including playoffs), the most any NFL defender has dropped the Steelers quarterback.